Christmas magic on St. Peter's Square: Christmas tree and nativity scene shine!

Christmas magic on St. Peter's Square: Christmas tree and nativity scene shine!

St. Peter's Square in the Vatican shines in festive splendor: on the evening of December 7, 2024, the ceremonial illumination of the Christmas tree and the nativity scene took place, which captivated numerous visitors. At 7:13 p.m., the approximately 30-meter-high spruce tree from Ledro, decorated with colorful balls and lights, as well as an impressive nativity scene from the Italian Adriatic town of Grado were ceremoniously illuminated. The ceremony, set to accordion sounds of “Silent Night” and “White Christmas,” lasted about an hour and included speeches and musical performances by a choir and orchestra. This festive attraction will be on display until January 12th Kathpress reported.

The impressive nativity scene, designed over two years by 40 professionals and artists, illustrates maritime scenes with a beach and native plants. The centerpiece is a stable made of reeds, reminiscent of the region's fishing huts. But the background of the tree is not entirely unproblematic: There were protests in advance against the felling of the 60-year-old spruce, which was ultimately deemed necessary by the local authorities because the forests in the region are subject to strict environmental requirements.

Special Christmas surprise in Altenkunstadt

In Altenkunstadt, Germany, the residents of the Friedrich Baur retirement home and care center were given a special treat: the hobby artist Leopold Frommelt from Strössendorf made a beautiful Christmas nativity scene and donated it to the facility. The delicate figurative representations reflect Frommelt's artistry and enrich the Christmas magic of the nursing home. Facility manager Gabriela Handel thanked the residents warmly for this loving gift, which further increases the anticipation of the upcoming celebration InFranken reported.